The economic crisis in Panama is seriously affecting the possibilities of increasing employment, according to Juan Carlos Araúz, former president of the National Bar Association. Although Araúz points out that the recent violence in the country does not reflect an uncontrolled security situation, it does generate a perception of insecurity that can impact internal coexistence and discourage investors and tourists.
The lawyer called on the authorities to make visible the work of the National Police and guarantee their presence throughout the country. He emphasized the importance of reinforcing security and communication strategies to counteract fear in the population, highlighting the need to maintain trust in institutions to avoid negative impacts on the economy and the quality of life for Panamanians.
On the other hand, Álvaro Menéndez, a criminologist, expressed his concern about the lack of police intelligence strategies to prevent crimes before they occur. He stressed that criminality in Panama has evolved towards crimes linked to drug trafficking and transnational crime. Additionally, Guillermo Cochez, a lawyer and political analyst, linked the rise in crime to the country's economic crisis, emphasizing the need to address the lack of employment, opportunities, and educational deficiencies that contribute to this phenomenon.
Menéndez questioned the statistics from the National Police that announced the detention of more than 14,000 people in three months, calling for transparency in the information to avoid misleading interpretations and pointing out possible consequences in the prison system. He also warned about the ineffectiveness of the police verification system and the need for a deep transformation in Panamanian society, highlighting the importance of generating employment and improving the living conditions of the population to address the problem of crime.
